Hi Antje! I hope this finds you and your household doing well.
Well, Zen is definitely top dog around the house here. This last year,
we increased our little pack by two when my Mom's dog, Pippin, and her
cat came to live with us. Zen and Pippin are inseparable and have set
up a set schedule to follow during the day. The wrestling games start
the moment the alarm clock goes off, this then becomes a game of chase
and tag on the first trip outside. After breakfast and a short nap in
the sun, one of the dogs will grab the tennis ball and a crazy race
starts with ears back and tails flying. Once they tire themselves out,
they either nap on the couch or Zen will use his favorite ball to rest
his head on as he lounges in the sun. When not keeping watch out the
front window they are stalking whomever is in the kitchen to get some
dog snacks. Evenings are spent on any available lap.
Zen has learned some tricks on his own. He will grab his ball if you
ask for it, when told "go to your room" he runs to his sleeping crate,
and we are teaching him to chase the birds off the patio (he loves
this "game"). His favorite toy is a small pink tennis ball that he
takes with him from room to room. Although he fetches it consistently,
he loves to tease our other two dogs with it in order to be chased.
And he just flies when he runs! He has also teamed up with the cat to
come get someone to open the door for her whenever she scratches at
it. It doesn't matter what time of day (or night) or where he is in
the house or yard, he has a special bark/howl to let us know whenever
she what to come inside. I'm not sure who trained who on this one.
As I was reviewing some of the older pictures I have of Zen I'm amazed
at how much his coat has filled in. His tail is very full and flowing
and his ears would be longer if he didn't get so many knots in them.
Even with daily brushing, all of his physical activity and wrestling
just knots that ear hair up. It's a good thing he enjoys being brushed
and bathed. These pictures are ones I took this last week. The snow
pictures are from last year. He wasn't sure about the cold but he
wasn't about to let Pippin go outside and have fun without him.
(I am posting a 7 week old pyppy photo of him with this letter)
And here is his dad: Road's End Mickey:
